Korea Denies Resumption of Canadian Beef Imports

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries denied reports from some local newspapers that South Korea is likely to resume beef imports from Canada next year.

The ministry said in a statement Wednesday that it will actively respond to Canada's appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Korea's ban on Canadian beef, saying, "Currently the government is preparing for possible WTO panel hearings."

Earlier, some media outlets speculated that Seoul is preparing for negotiations with Ottawa on lifting the beef import ban, under the judgment that the trade-governing body is likely to take Canada's side in the case.

A three-man dispute panel was formed by the WTO in August, at the request of Canada. Processes are under discussion within the panel, and are expected to speed up early next year.

South Korea banned all beef imports from Canada in May 2003, after the first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) ― commonly referred to as mad cow disease ― was confirmed in the North American country.

Except for China, Korea is the only country that has refused to reopen its borders to Canadian beef since then.

Before the ban, Korea was Canada's fourth-largest destination for beef exports following the United States, Australia and New Zealand, exporting 16,400 tons or $37 million's worth of meat annually.

The case is drawing attention from other countries that are interested in tapping into the Korean market. Aside from the United States and the European Union (EU), countries including Brazil, Argentina, China, India and Japan applied to observe the process at the WTO panel.

Leading up to the free trade agreement between Korea and the E.U., several member countries such as the Netherlands and Ireland have already told Seoul they want to export their beef.

Earlier this month, a visiting Canadian minister said his country plans to continue challenging the WTO on what it considers to be unfair tactics and unfair treatment of its beef industry.

"We feel that the system we have put in place is a very highly regarded system in the world. It is safe. We consume Canadian beef. We have been able to put in the most stringent measures possible." Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said during his visit to Seoul, requesting that Koreans look at the issue in from a "rational and scientific" viewpoint.